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Originally Posted by Oriental-Arms
Interesting nice mix. Few comments:
1) I agree with Ariel. This is not a Shibriya. The blade shape and cross section, The handle shape, the style of decoration and the style of connection to the belt are all very different from what I am familiar with the Jordanian / Palestinian Shibriya. A Saudi Shibria?? I am not familiar with this.
2) Blade: The shallow diamond cross section is not common in the Jordanian Palestinian ones and also I think it is not very common in other Saudi / Yemenite daggers / Khanjars . For this shape of cross section I would look more North – East of the Arab peninsula: Iraq, Persia and even further east. It may be worth to check the quality of the steel.
3) As Stu noted, There is a big difference in style and decoration technique in the two parts of the scabbard. The lower part, between the locket and the tip of the scabbard is engraved in a very poor technology, very common to decoration technique and style found in Jordan, Palestine and sometimes Syria. But the tip with the double twisted silver wire is again different. Also may be coming from further north east. The silver tail at the tip of the scabbard is probably a later addition as well.
4) I therefore think that it is a mix of parts collected from various sources to make a dagger.
5) For somewhat similar shape and size daggers, but of far better quality see the fierce discussion in: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...afghan+khanjar |
Sorry about the late reply.
Yes, there are Saudi made shibriyas, some are made from salvaging parts of Jordanian shibriyas but the Saudi ones are of better quality and silver. Compared to the Jordanian ones which are usually white metal.
The term shibr is the length between the thumb and pinky (I said index before, confused names :P) is the source name for shibriya. Thus what gives these knives the name is their size, rather than the blade shape. Also, I have showed an example of a shibriya completely authentic with a curved khanjar like blade. But its alittle uncommon.
The northern parts of Saudi Arabia has tribes which culturally are more similar to the ones in Jordan.. so they use similar items and dance the dabka etc.
Come to think of it, I think you are correct in thinking the silver filigree is added later, but its an interesting example non the less. The blade seems to be wootz, but I need a stronger etchant :P
Lotfy